Pacquiao in no rush for Mayweather clash

Newly crowned WBO welterweight king Manny Pacquiao said he was in no rush to fight American Floyd Mayweather Junior as he flew back to a hero's welcome in his native Philippines Friday.

After his stunning 12th-round Las Vegas stoppage of Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto for a historic seventh title in as many weight divisions, the champ also suggested he might fight on beyond the much-anticipated Mayweather showdown.

"We are not forcing a fight with him. It is right that he is the one challenging me, because my fights score more on pay per view," said the 30-year-old southpaw, his swollen right hand and ear still wrapped in protective gauze.

Earlier this week, Mayweather was quoted as saying he wanted to fight Pacquiao but the Filipino had not indicated any interest.

"I have yet to hear him actually say, 'yes I want to fight Mayweather,'" Mayweather told USA Today on Monday.

"Manny Pacquiao doesn't say anything directly about fighting me because he might just know it's not a fight he can win," Mayweather said. Pacquiao on Friday stressed it was up to his promoter and coaching staff to find his next foe.

He admitted there were people around him, including his mother, who advised him to hang up his gloves while on top.

"I do not wish for him to fight 'Weather," his mother Dionisia Pacquiao said in an interview aired on local radio on Friday. "If he does I will climb onto the ring myself I don't care if my son gets disqualified."

Pacquiao said: "I am thinking about that. Of course, that's my parent and I respect my parent," he said.

But he said in another interview later Friday that Mayweather might not be his last ring opponent.

"It is too early to say that," Pacquiao said.

He said the American was a different fighter to Cotto, or even Pacquiao's famous recent scalps Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

"We will need a different style of fighting him," he said.

"You have to adapt to the weather."

Pacquiao said he wanted to enjoy time with his family. He refused to answer questions on his personal life, having earlier brushed off rumours his marriage was failing amid reports he flew a starlet to Las Vegas to watch him win. MANILA, AFP